Somerville pools open for summer swimming

David Gard/New Jersey Local News Service Kids cool off at the Lepp Park pool on Park Avenue in Somerville today.

SOMERVILLE -- As the sun beat down on Somerville today, residents were thrilled they could cool off in the borough’s pools.

Two of the borough’s four pools -- at Michael Lepp Park on Park Avenue and Claude Walck Park on Walnut Street -- opened for summer swimming today. The other two will remain closed due to budget constraints.

Somerville recreation department employees were still cleaning the pool at Walck Park at noon today as about 20 people milled around waiting to cool off.

Carmela Guerrero brought her children Jennifer and Peter Rojas for some convenient fun in the sun.

“It’s close to home and they like to play after they get out,” Guerrero said as she filled out emergency contact information for the pair. “It’s a really nice area where I can watch them play.”

Set in residential wooded areas, the pools are bordered by small playgrounds, benches and tables. Though free for Somerville residents, there is a $25 fee per family for season access.

Maria Solano brought her two daughters, Valerie, 14 and Raquel, 5.

“We came because we like to have fun and swim. We figured out the [opening] time today and stopped by,” Valerie said.

Lisa Holaday-Jubak said coming to Walck Park is a family tradition since she, her brothers and her husband have all taken a dip.

“I’ve been in the pool every summer for 30 years,” she said, noting that her son Daniel Jubak, 7, learned how to swim there just last year. “It just seems smarter to walk down the street, than pack up and pay to go somewhere else.”

Daniel, sporting a pair of blue goggles, said the pool is his favorite part of the summer.
“I like going in the deep end because you get to do cannon balls,” he said.

Christine Taylor, 18, just graduated from Somerville High School and decided to take on her third year as a lifeguard before attending University of Massachusetts in the fall.

Though swimmers can get a little rowdy, Taylor said she likes the job.

“I like that I have the opportunity to really help people,” she said. “Plus, it gives the kids something to do because when you don’t have anything to do, you’re more likely to get into trouble.”

For more information on pools and parks in Somerville, contact the Somerville Recreation Department at (908) 704-6985 or visit http://somervillenjrec.com.